New Frontrunner? Carson Hot On Trump’s Trail

Dr. Ben Carson’s positive poll numbers are reason to celebrate for the popular, soft spoken Doctor, with some polls even having the 2016 GOP Presidential hopeful in a dead heat with Donald Trump.

According to the Washington Post, even though less people know of Carson than say, Donald Trump or Carly Fiorina, he still beats them when it comes to who voters views as more favorable.

“Dr. Ben Carson is better liked than fellow political outsiders Donald Trump or Carly Fiorina among both Republicans and political independents in a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, even as many have not heard of the famed pediatric neurosurgeon.

Carson’s image with the public overall is positive — 45 percent favorable to 27 percent unfavorable — following a surge in support since the first Republican debate and controversy over his statement that he would oppose a Muslim becoming president of the United States. Two other candidates capturing the GOP’s attention — Trump and Fiorina — get more mixed reviews from the public at large.

Trump’s ratings are upside-down at 35 percent favorable and 60 percent unfavorable, while Fiorina receives a 35-30 favorable-unfavorable split. More than one-third have no opinion of Fiorina (35 percent) at this point.

Carson has stellar ratings among self-identified Republicans; 68 percent have a favorable impression of him, while a mere 14 percent are unfavorable. Trump nearly matches Carson on positive ratings (62 percent), but his unfavorable ratings are about twice as high (34). Republicans give Fiorina a narrower positive split (47-27), though over one-quarter still have no opinion on the former Hewlett-Packard chief executive.”

The article also says “Fiorina does better among blacks, and Carson does better among women. And both probably do a little better than your average Republican, though it’s not clear whether it would make a difference in the general election.”